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The following information is provided to briefly review some of the steps and procedures involved in making an adoption plan through Georgia AGAPE.

1. Adoption – A Caring Option

2. The Initial Steps

3. The Selection Process

4. The Placement

5. Afterwards

Adoption – A Caring Option

Adoption is a loving decision to thoughtfully entrust the care of ones child with another family. Because of this, we like to frame a discussion of this process in terms of “making an adoption plan.” Adoption is not an impulsive, carefree, quick or simple process done by mothers who do not care. Although there may be some who view it this way, that is the farthest from the truth. Adoption is about love and good decision making. Adoption is about doing the right thing.

Making an adoption plan involves a process that is individualized. It is not the same for everyone. There are many options involved and each plan is tailored to your needs and preferences.

The Initial Steps

As the adoption process involves making a plan, there needs to be a fair amount of understanding about what is involved with adoption to enable one to make informed decisions. Adoption planning is also an extended and flexible process which can be modified along the way. The process usually begins by a discussion of your situation and helping you with your immediate needs. Information is gathered about you and the birth father. Your situation then becomes understood as well as how you are coping. We like it when you, as a birth mother, contact us early on in your pregnancy. This gives us a good amount of time to help you in the fullest way possible. However, we understand that many will wait to call us and begin the process later on in their pregnancy. Please know that we will welcome you at any time.

The Selection Process

As we facilitate the selection and placement process, we like to gather information about you, your background and your preferences in an adoptive family. You are given the option of choosing the family for your child. We facilitate this by providing you information on the families, including sharing the picture album they have completed on themselves. You are also given the opportunity to meet the family and to get to know them. This is part of what open adoptions is about. We never know what level of openness a birth mother may want. We design adoption plans around your preferences and desires.

The Placement

As adoption is a legal process, the actual placement of a child into an adoptive family must be done according to state laws. (See a brief description of the legal process at the “legal issues” page of this web site section.) Again, there are many options for how this process could go and sometimes it can get complicated. Some of this is based on your preferences and some of this is based on the requirements of law. Proper legal documents will be signed as part of the placement process. You must understand these and be willing and ready to sign them at the selected time. This is a voluntary process. Nothing is forced upon you. You will receive copies of everything you sign.

Afterwards

Once the legal documents are properly signed and your child is placed with the adoptive family, the process is not over. We understand an adoption plan may include agreements for further contact between the birth and adoptive parents.

We are here to facilitate this process according to the plan which is made. We are also here to support and help birth parents with their emotional adjustment to the placement. It is normal to go through a grieving time after a placement and it is important you understand what is to be expected. Yes, there will likely be ups and downs. However, you will be comforted knowing you made the right decision, even if at times you question this. Remember, pain can be turned into strength. Having a trusted counselor to talk to at AGAPE can be a tremendous source of help and comfort at this time. We understand that adoption is a life-long experience. That is why it is important to have an agency, like AGAPE, to be there for you for the long haul.